FM Synth Comparison: Korg opsix and Elektron Digitone

In this video, Mike takes a detailed look at how the brand new and very powerful Korg opsix compares to his beloved Elektron Digitone in terms of features, workflow and sounds. Being both FM synths there is some crossover, but as he discovers, each unit provides a number of unique features.

Disclaimers:
This video was shot prior to the opsix manual being available.
Any reference to pricing is in reference to Australian retail prices.

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[thelemetric]

great demos and overview. thank you for this.

[BlisterHiker]

6 operators FM of Korg Opsix wins hands down in terms of synthesis power, but no doubt Digitone is a very handy instrument with its own cool multitimbral flavor.
Thanks for the comparison.
Note: lack of aftertouch cripples Opsix (and any other FM synth). I hope Korg does it right in future version of Opsix (61 keys fully functional keyboard).

[heavysystemsinc.]

For the record, digitone is 8 voice, 8 part multitimbral, the 4 track buttons are sequencer tracks, but you can put 8 different voices AND tones at once on one track if you want. I've seen a couple of folks accidentally misrepresent what the tracks actually are, so hopefully I'm in early enough for people see the correction. If you go into the voice menu, it will show you which of the 8 voices are being triggered at any given time and you can lock voices to a track to guarantee they won't be cut off by other tracks if the polyphony is exceeded by, for instance, long trailing releases of notes overlapping too much.

[NuwandaBoy]

These are 2 different machines. Not much to compare as Opsix focuses purely on sound synthesis (not just FM)with numerous deep and complex choices and Digitone combines FM synthesis (with limited features), a powerful sequencer and multitimbrality. If you're after a FM synth purely to discover new sounds then the Opsix is the obvious choice, if you prefer the groovebox approach then go for the Digitone and you'll be delighted.

[Kuronoichig]

As a keyboard player, I find it difficult to get into the zone with the Opsix keys. I've played on digitone keys and the keybed feels much more durable/playable. However I like the sounds of the opsix more.
I'll definitely be routing opsix sounds to a better midi keyboard

[ferkilized]

Very nice video and easy going voice and karakter explaining things 👍 I own a Digitone... going nowhere as you said too. Wasn’t interested in the Opsix until you’ve explained about the keymapping function per operator. That makes it a six track groovebox when sequencing it from another device... Digitone maybe 🤔😊. There goes my money 😉 Thanks for the video 👍

[FreeThink]

Opsix is one of the most interesting synths to come out in awhile. And that’s saying something, since we’ve been living the golden age of synthesis.

[GTChris]

Great comparison. Too bad you didn't cover the ultra light build quality and lack of aftertouch on the Opsix. I do love the possibilities it gives, although it sounded a bit less warm than other FM synths including the digitone. I had to return it and pray that Korg puts that engine into another hardware product in the future.

[kylew]

I just wish the opsix didn’t feel like a child’s toy. The keys are terrible. The prologue for $200 more is soo much better built. It sounds pretty good, tho I do notice some weirdness in the upper ranges. If it felt solid I’m sure I’d enjoy it a lot more. I don’t know, it’s hard to feel compelled by something when the construction and quality is so frail. Just my personal two cents!

[cassildaandcarcosa]

People really need to think of the sound engine on the Digitone as a Subtractive Synth where the "traditional oscillator" is a 4 operator FM synth w/ tricks (where each operator isn't just a sine wave, the HARM parameter to adds to upper partials. In addition. The Digitone uses a form of additive synthesis to create the harmonic series for the HARM parameter. Additive synthesis is one of the oldest forms of electronic sound generation. It is a quite simple form of synthesis but still very powerful. The basic principle is to add multiple sine waves together to form complex timbres. Each sine wave is called a partial. Typically, each part is one octave above the previous. You retain the frequency of the tone by keeping the partials spread across octaves. By attenuating each partial, the timbre changes its harmonic content, resulting in different waveforms, i.e. not just sinewaves.)

As for the subtractive synthesis side, the digital filters on the Digitone sound great, they are snappy, resonant with out sounding too digital, warm. probably my favorite digital filters on any digital synth.


I alway cringe a little when people pigeon hole the Digitone as an "FM Groove box, " and that just isn't right.

[thedeepblueskys]

I have both because I got my hands on the $329 Korg OpSix liquidation sale. I struggle with wanting to sell it, but every time I play it I change my mind. Not to mention I have an Analog case for it. So I guess it’s here to stay. If I did sell it I’d get the $50 plugin version. It makes sounds the Digitone cannot so it’s definitely it’s own thing. The filter on the Digitone is much better then the OpSix filter emulations in my opinion. Over all I’m glad I have them both but if I had to choose it would be the Digitone over the OpSix because I just vibe with it better. Either way, I say ditch most of the factory sounds in both of them and download or make your own presets. There is some really good sound packs for both of them out there. This makes them both more unique.

[lamdahalbe]

Thing with Digitone is: It is developed to offer an easily accessible fm engine by providing some solid algorithms and a solid -- not necessarily insanely deep -- fm engine.
Being limited by a certain degree is _wanted_ as the actual deepness of this machine is introduced by its insane sequencing capabilities _combined_ with its fm capabilities...while it's still supposed to be kind of manageable while performing with it.
Sound design wise, Digitone doesn't and doesn't want to offer as much as the Korg opsix, as it's more of a performance tool with rock solid fm capabilities than a pure sound design monster as the opsix obviously is.
I feel the urge to emphasize though, that in this comparison you imho can't really hear the quality of sounds that Digitone is able to generate. No fanboy here, just saying. :)

To sum it up: We are looking at two totally different approaches to fm synthesis. Both doing great in what they were or are made for!

[smalltown]

Not sure whether or not to get some cashew nuts this Christmas, but there's still a few days to go to make my mind up.

[geofff]

None of these really sound that different to the DX7 to me. Of course effects and sequencing have been added and they have brought fm programming to the masses, which is good, but the basics sounds don’t sound much different to the 80s.

[Fix_My_Mix]

The Opsix is pretty much Sytrus in hardware form. For me, Sytrus is the absolute best software FM synth.

[StephanieSante]

Digitone is far more than primarily a groove box.

[EdgyNumber]

*This was great!*
_Your showcase review_ - Lets see what Opsix can REALLY do! 👍
_Everyone else_ - Lets see if this sounds like DX7 E. Piano. 🤦‍♂️
Usually these reviews are rubbish because they go straight for the clichéd, worn to death, god awful, DX7 E. Piano. You delved right into some weird and wonderful sounds. Good stuff! 🙂👍

[nym]

Must admit that I enjoy the sound and posibilities of Opsix more. Though I prefer the casing and sequencer of Digitone more.

[teddym]

I watched this video blind btw, and now I was going back and forth after guessing which instrument was, and I got the digitone correct every time. So it's just the sound of it that is so nice and what makes a different to me. I can get by with 8 Poly. Just. I wish it was 10 or 12 though to really not limit me with pads.

[julianhigginson]

With references to the digitone part of this I’d say you’ve missed the trick with digitone. If you compare it to the op6 in a traditional way it can appear a bit lacking but the way to view the instrument is with the sequencer being part of the sound engine rather then a sequencer that triggers your sound - it’s kind of a pointless comparison- like comparing and F1 car with a tractor. I’ve had my digitone for ages and I’m only just realising what it can do for me. I’ve considered selling it tones of times. Despite the fact I know it well it’s genius is hidden in plain sight